ISLAMABAD – The United Nations has not responded to the Taliban’s request for an appearance and speech before the ongoing UN General Assembly session which would end its annual meeting after two days. “UN has not responded to our request to speak before UNGA”, IEA Ambassador-designate to UN Suhail Shaheen told The Nation on phone from Doha. He said the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has writ all over Afghanistan and enjoys grassroots support by the people of Afghanistan. “We truly represent the aspirations of the people of Afghanistan and are ready to engage with the world”, Suhail Shaheen remarked. He asked the world body to listen to us and hear our side of the story. “It is proved, the policy of isolation is in the interest of none”, he further commented. Diplomatic sources told The Nation that the UN credential committee has the mandate to decide to include or exclude any country as a UN member, however, this committee is not likely to meet in next two days, which means Taliban would miss this opportunity this year. The sources said the credential committee of the UN has received the letter from Afghan Foreign Minister Muttaqi and is expected to take up the matter formally after the UNGA session.